EDITORIAL: Nix judges’ call for $60,000 raise

Article content

While many Canadians feel that legal decisions by our judges are often out to lunch, their latest appeal to increase their salaries by almost as much as the average Canadian earns in a year, will no doubt add fuel to the fire.

As reported by the National Post, Canada’s federally appointed judges are seeking a $60,000 (14.5%) pay hike to their $415,000 annual salaries — just short of the average Canadian salary of $66,000 last year.

They argue that top lawyers in the private sector aren’t applying to become judges because it doesn’t pay enough.

In a joint submission to a three-member commission which will make recommendations on the issue to the federal government, the Canadian Judicial Council and the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association, “laid out a troubling portrait of … overworked judges, a concerning trend of languishing vacancies, and diminishing interest in joining the bench from ‘outstanding’ lawyers in private practice.”

The judges cite a “persistent, dramatic” 67% gap worth $300,000 in 2022 earnings, between judges’ compensation and that of top-earning lawyers at the 75th percentile of the profession.

But the judges’ request for a $60,000 raise is too rich even for our Liberal federal government, which is never shy about plunging Canadians into massive debt to pay for what it says it needs to run the country.

According to the National Post, the government argues that the “unprecedented” raise sought by the judges not only has “no legal basis” but “is insensitive to the current economic challenges of Canadians” and would be inappropriate during a period of “geopolitical volatility and uncertainty, as well as Canadians’ struggles with inflation and the high cost of living.”

It says a study it commissioned found judges’ total compensation in salary and benefits was $571,645 annually, has more than kept pace with inflation and includes a generous pension plan which pays two-thirds of a judge’s annual salary, indexed to inflation, for life.

Beyond the issue of judicial salaries, the time it takes to get criminal and civil cases to court in Canada is a major concern because justice delayed is justice denied.

While judges deserve to be fairly compensated, a 14.5% increase over one year retroactive to April 2024 seems excessive and on this issue, we agree with the government.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video